Rock dassie
| Common name | Scientific name | Average weight of adult male | Average length or shoulder height | Diet | How do they live | Feeding time | Gestation period | Number of young at birth |
| Dassie, rock | Procavia capensis | 3,5 kg | length 55 cm | herbivorous | colony | day | 7-8 months | 1-6 young |
Of the four dassie species in South Africa the best known one is the rock dassie. They have tusk-like teeth protruding from their mouths, stocky built with no tail. In bygone years their fur was a favourite for the making of skin rugs.
They inhabit all rocky areas like krantzes and rocky hillsides. They are preyed upon by caracal, leopard and is the favourite prey of the black eagle. When alarmed they give a warning signal and all run for cover under rocky ledges. Their numbers are limited by available shelter.